The Mountain's Sorrow
In an area east of the Ruby Peak, there was a sizable forest, that nobody ever went into. Not because it as scary or dark, but because there wasn't anything interesting about. It was just a regular forest.
At one place, deep within the forest, there was a large camp. It had dozens of smaller tents, all of them black, with a strange symbol on them. Int eh center, was a massive tent that looked more like a house. Within said tent, was a table, with a number of people assembled around it.
"The age of dark guilds has ended," the man at the head said. He was wearing priestly robes, with a strange metallic mask on his face.
"The time of Avatar is now," he said, "And with in this time, we will create the perfect world. The world of lord Zeref." Around the others, echoed words of "For Zeref". At one end of the table, sat a young man with black hair, and red eyes. Along his left arm, left of his torso, and left side of his face, were black markings.
"For Zeref," Gray said.
(in the mountain)
Lucy had been intending on renting a room at an inn in Egora, and spent her time not working there. However, her friends all insisted on Lucy staying with them. They pitched her a tent of her own (they all slept in their respective guild tents), and gave her a sleeping cot. When Lucy lay down on it, she was surprised to find it wasn't uncomfortable, and she tried to sleep.
But try as she might, she couldn't get any sleep. She couldn't escape from feeling of the mountain, as if it was burrowing into her skin. Lucy let out a sigh, as sh got out of bed, put her shoes on, and walked around the cavern. Most of the others were asleep as well, with some of the mining crew laying in sleeping bags on the ground.
As she wandered, Lucy looked over at the massive black pit. There she saw Wendy sitting by the edge, with Carla (back in cat form), sleeping in her lap. Lucy walked over to her.
"Can't sleep?" she asked. Wendy briefly flinched at the surprise of Lucy's voice.
"Lucy!" she said. The blonde giggled.
"Sorry to scare you," she said, before sitting beside Wendy, "I asked if you couldn't sleep?" The Sky Dragon Slayer shook her head.
"No," she answered, "Its just…" She trailed off, and Lucy put her hand on her shoulder.
"You can tell me anything." Wendy clenched her fists.
"I didn't want to say this in front of the others at Lamia Scale," she said, "But I miss Fairy Tail." Lucy smiled sadly, as she folded her hands in her lap.
"I know, I miss it to," she said.
"Lamia Scale is really good, and all eh people there are really nice to me," Wendy said quickly, before looking down, "But…"
"You miss Natsu, don't you?" Lucy said. Wendy nodded slightly, as tears built in the corner of her eyes.
"I had been planning to go to Lamia Scale, but I wanted to ask Natsu to come with me," she said, "I knew he wouldn't want to, but I was really hoping he would." Lucy listened sadly. She knew that Natsu and Wendy's relationship was essentially big brother-little sister in all but name, and Wendy really looked up to Natsu. No doubt his disappearance was really hard on the poor girl.
"Sometimes I wonder if should have just stayed with Natsu," Wendy said, "Maybe he wouldn't have disappeared."
"Natsu's an idiot, "Lucy said, "You can't blame yourself for him acting as such." However, Wendy still didn't feel better. Lucy didn't find herself feeling that good either, as she sighed, and looked down at the pit. It the darkness, it seemed even more ominous, which lead Lucy to wonder something.
"Why are you sitting here?" she asked, "This pit is really creepy."
"I know," Wendy said with a nod, "But there's something about this feeling. It may be angry, and even kind of vindictive, but there's something else in it." Wendy reached into her pocket, and pulled out a ruby. Lucy noticed that despite it being presumably mind, it seemed to already be cut, something that was strange.
"And what would that be?"
"This feeling, its sad," Wendy said, as she looked over the ruby, "Whatever is giving off this feeling, feels very hurt, and wronged." Lucy paused, as she looked down into the pit. Now that Wendy mentioned, there was a sense of sorrow that came from the feeling.
"What could it be?" she asked.
"I don't know," Wendy answered. The two sat in silence for a while longer, just staring into the black pit, before Lucy took a breath, and pulled Wendy to her feet.
"Let's try and get some sleep," she said, "There's nothing we can do about it for now."
"Alright," Wendy said, as she followed Lucy back into the camp, after dropping the ruby down into the pit. It made a resonating echo that seemed to go across the entire cavern.
(the next day)
After waking up, Lucy realized she at another reason she wanted to stay at the inn, was the inn had showers and baths. So she was understandably dismayed the next morning, until Mirajane pointed her to portable showers that everyone used. Lucy was very relieved at that. After getting cleaned and dressed, Lucy decided to continue her work. She interviewed some of the miners this time, and found out that a business man was running the whole operations. When she asked about him, however, she was shot down, so she dropped it.
To her surprise, Lucy found out that Jura was present. According to Levy, he was present as the member of the Magic Council to oversee this. With that, Lucy headed put o where he was, at the highest cliff, overseeing.
"Ms. Lucy!" Jura greeted respective, smiling at her approach, "It has been a while, how have you been?"
"I've been well," Lucy answered, smiling back.
"You should know that if I had been a Council member last year, I would never have approved Fairy Tail's disbandment," Jura said firmly, "They've done nothing but good for the magic world."
"Thank you," Lucy said smiling back, "I was wondering if I could interview you for Sorcerer Weekly?"
"I'd be genuinely honored." With that, Lucy began the interview with him.
"Why would you say this project is going on?" she asked.
"Initially, it was just a project by Da Murinator, that started about a week or so ago" Jura answered, and noticing Lucy's face, "Yes, quite a strange name. But word spread that one of the rubies had been giving off strange light. I took it upon myself to investigate, the council chambers can get so dull, and found that said ruby held a strange form of magic. Further study lead me to realize that other rubies that had been discovered shared this magic. I could not identify what the magic was, only that it was old, and powerful, and that they were being found continuously. I realized the potential danger, so I decided to spare no expense, in ensuring that these rubies were properly protected." Lucy was impressed by all this, though she thought there may have been another reason.
"And I also wished to see all the former members of Fairy tail back together," Jura said, with a twinkle in his eye, "You should know I actually requested you to be the reporter." Lucy flushed red, before clearing her throat slightly.
"So what's happening to the magic rubies?" Lucy asked. Jura pointed with his staff, over to a decent sized people not far from where was standing.
"They are collected there, to be shipped to the Council headquarters for study," he explained.
"Now this next question is one I'm wondering about," Lucy said, "Where did these rubies come from? I heard in Egora that it wasn't always called 'Ruby Mountain'."
"That is quite the question," Jura said, frowning, "Apparently one day they just popped into existence."
"Do you think it has something to do with the magic rubies?"
"Without a doubt. Its just the connection we all need to find. I'm confident we'll find our answer in the pit." Lucy closed the notepad.
"Well, that's everything," she said, "Thank you for everything!"
"I should be thanking you," Jura said, smiling warmly, "Its good to see all of Fairy Tail together again."
"Well, we're not really together, we're just in the same place," Lucy said, looking down. Jura frowned at that, but he figured this was a personal topic of her, so he decided against pursing it. Lucy then took her leave, and walked back down the level. There, she sat on the rocks, and watched everyone go about their activities.
(that evening)
The day proved really boring. Lucy and hoped maybe someone would dive into the pit, and see what the heck was down there. It was driving Lucy crazy, and if she weren't so afraid, she's dive in as well.
After reviewing her notes, writing a detailed review, and contacting her boss via lacrima, Lucy was ready for bed. However, unable to sleep again, she instead found herself staring at the tent ceiling. Since Wendy mentioned the sad feeling, that was all Lucy could feel; the anger and despair had been replaced by that feeling of hurt and sorrow. It was to safe to think that this thing that was giving off this feeling had been hurt, badly from the feel of it. She looked at ruby she'd been given by one of the workers who was probably trying to flirt with her.
True, the ruby looked quite beautiful, being a blood red that seemed to go deep into the gem, but there was something about the ruby itself. The same feeling seemed to be irradiating off of it. Maybe the rubies are the source? Lucy thought.
"Well, one way or another, I ain't keeping this," she said, as she tossed the ruby away. However, the moment the ruby hit the ground there was a huge explosion sound, that knocked Lucy off her bed.
"The hell!" Lucy said, as she quickly ran out of her tent. She saw that others running towards the sound.
"What's going?" she asked Erza as the mage ran by with her guild.
"We don't know!" Erza answered, "But we're going to find out! Come on!" Lucy ran with Mermaid Heel towards the sound.
"Who would come here? Bandits?" Beth asked.
"Don't forget that some of these rubies are magic," Araña said, "It could be a dark guild desiring them."
"Whoever they are, we'll stop them!" Kagura said, putting her hand on her sword.
"That's my little sister!" Erza said, flashing a smile.
"Please not now!" Kagura said, flushing red.
As the woman neared the sight, and that's when they saw the battle. A massive amount of soldiers, dressed in black robes, with a symbol of their cloaks, had charged into the cavern.
"Who are they?" Millianna asked.
"Enemies, that's who!" Erza said, "Mermaid Heel, to battle!" With that, she lead the charge of mermaids into combat.
Lucy briefly needed a moment to take in everything that was happening. The Rune Knights were engaging much of the dark mages. Lucy looked around, and saw all the mages doing their thing.
Gajeel was at the brunt of the fight for the Magic Council, leading the Rune Knights in combat. Levy was in the back, giving orders, and occasionally using her Letter Magic to knock away some overzealous dark mages. Pantherlily was with Levy, protecting her.
Quatro Cerberus was doing their thing, like berserkers almost. Lucy noticed Bacchus and Cana working in conjunction, with Cana activating her cards, and putting them on Bacchus' palms. She actually remembered that Cana and Bacchus formed a team called the "Drunken Duo". Elfman was also doing a lot of fighting in his beast soul form.
Mirajane and Lisanna had been empowered by Ichiya's perfume (or was it "parfume", Lucy could never tell it was something completely different), and were fighting hard in their own right.
Sabertooth was doing its thing as it always did, though Lucy did have to admit it was weird seeing Minerva fight on their side, but she wasn't complaining. If there was one person good to have on your side, Minerva was one of them.
In Lamia Scale, Lucy said that apparently Carla was using her transformation magic as a means of being able to fight in her own right. Chelia and Wendy were working together in their "Sky Sisters" team.
Probably out of all of them, Mermaid Heel was probably working together the best. All of the woman seemed to be completely in synch, with Risley or Beth stunning the opponent, giving time for Millianna or Araña time to entrap them, and Erza or Kagura would finish the job.
It made Lucy sad.
Outside of their current guilds, none of the former Fairy Tail members were working together. They were completely focused on their own guilds. Lucy figured she couldn't fault them for that, but still. As an enemy charged Lucy, the blonde decided to enter the fray as well.
"Lucy!" Erza called, as she went to go assist her friend. However, Lucy pulled out her keys, and summoned Loke, who quickly incapacitated the man.
"Star Dress: Leo Form!" Lucy said, slamming her key into her chest, as she entered her Star Dress form. That surprised Erza.
"Is that re-quip magic?"
"Not exactly," Lucy said with a thumbs up, before kicking up, "Regulus Lucy Kick!" This sent another charging guy flying, which surprised Erza again. I guess I've been underestimating her all this time, she thought with a smile, I suppose I never do learn.
Up on a cliff, a woman with slicked hair and dark skin, entered with a man with thick shaggy hair, and pale skin.
"Quite the chaos down there," the woman said, "Shall we join them, Jerome?"
"No need," the man, Jerome, answered, "Don't forget, Briar, this is just a way of gauging the strength."
The battle continued, as the roar rattled around the cave walls, creating a tremendous amount of noise.
"Stop!"
For some reason, everyone heard that, as the fighting abruptly stopped. For the former Fairy Tail members, that voice was very familiar.
"Is that…," Lisanna began. She looked towards the pit, and saw a blue cat flying at them.
"Happy!" Lucy, Carla, and Wendy yelled together.
"You've got to stop fighting!" Happy cried as he flew through the ranks, "You'll wake him up!"
"Why did you stop! Attack!" Jerome ordered. The followers quickly resumed their attack.
"Happy!" Lucy called.
"Lucy?" Happy said, as he looked, and indeed saw the blonde, "Lucy!" He flew to Lucy, who caught him, and held him her arms.
"Kitty!" Millianna said, as she tried to grab Happy, only for her to be held back by Risley.
"What are you doing here?" Lucy asked, "Where's Natsu!"
"Please! Stop!" Happy begged, "He just wants to be left alone!"
"What are you talking about?" Lucy asked, "Who are going to wake up?" But Happy wasn't listening.
"If you wake him up, he won't care who's here, he'll kill everyone!"
(in the pit)
The sound of the conflict resonated through the lower chamber, the echoing making it incredibly distinct. The rubies that covered the floor lay still for a time, before all of a sudden…
There was a huge snort as the rubies exploded outward, revealing a massive nostril, with steam leaking out of it. The rubies then shifted, as there were the makings of a reptilian head, with red scales, with a massive closed eye.
At that moment, the lid opened, revealing an enormous slitted eye. A deep, rumbling growl sounded out.
Note: He's woken up.
I decided to us Avatar for a couple reasons. One, it helps bring Gray (and by extension, Juvia) into the story quickly, and secondly, it was an organization with the motivation and means to cause a large incident in the mountain. Enough to disturb his sleep. If you're wondering where Jura was during the battle, then don't worry, it will be explained.
Quick note, "Da Murninator", was a really lame joke I cooked up. Try saying it aloud fast and you'll probably get it. And don't worry, I'm working on EOTFD and EOTBD as well.